Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Adventures?”
“Yes. I mean, Wellsy and I barely left the house for the first few months. We’d be so tired and just sit around and watch Netflix like a pair of zombies. It wasn’t good for us, and I don’t think it’s good for any relationship, to be honest. We were cooped up at home. She’d be strumming her guitar and I’d be dead on the couch, and yeah, sometimes it’s nice just knowing that she’s there, sharing the same space as you.”
I know exactly what he means. If I’m watching TV, and Grace is studying at our dining room table, I often look her way and smile at the little crease of concentration in her forehead. Sometimes I’m tempted to go over there and kiss that tiny groove, smooth it out with my lips. But I leave her to her work, smiling to myself and simply enjoying the fact that she’s near me.
“But other times you feel so apart, even though you’re together,” Garrett continues. He takes another sip of beer. “That’s when you need to inject some excitement into the relationship. Go for a walk. Explore a new neighborhood, try a new restaurant. Just keep making memories and sharing experiences. Good or bad, they bring you closer together.”
“We do adventurous things,” I protest.
“Like what?”
I wink. “Roleplaying, for one.”
“Nice. But I’m not talking about sex. Sex doesn’t hurt, obviously, but…it’s a matter of making her a priority. Showing her that hockey isn’t your entire world, even when it feels like it is. And if all else fails, a week in the Caribbean does wonders.”
“Dude, when do we have time for that? We barely have a night or two off, let alone a week.”
“You can make do. We’ve got two nights off next week for New Year’s Eve,” he reminds me. “There’re lots of places to go close to home.”
“Really. In New England. In the winter.”
“Dude,” he mimics. “Open up Airbnb. You’ll find tons of little ski lodges and hotels, all within a few hours’ drive.”
“True.” And Grace does like to ski…
I think it over. We have that break coming up, followed by another long stretch of away games. I definitely want—no, need to spend some quality time with my girl before the next road trip. I’m afraid if I don’t, the distance between us will only continue to grow. Until eventually it’ll be too far to bridge.
I’m still stressing about it when we part ways upstairs a half hour later. Luckily, I’ve crashed from the high of the game and now I’m exhausted, so I know I’ll pass out the second my head touches the pillow. We have an early flight to Phoenix tomorrow.
“See you tomorrow,” Garrett says before disappearing around the corner. The entire team has rooms on the same floor, but G’s is on the other side of the elevator bank from mine.
“Later, bro.”
I slide my keycard out of my back pocket and pass it over the door handle, which releases with a click. My first sense that something’s wrong? Walking into darkness. I clearly remember leaving the lights on when I went to meet Garrett. Now, shadows engulf me, raising the little hairs at the back of my neck.
The next warning bell is the soft rustling sound on the bed.
Wait. Am I in the wrong room? But no, that’s impossible. I used my own keycard to get in—
“C’mon, superstar. Don’t keep me waiting all night,” coos a throaty female voice.
I almost jump out of my skin. What in the actual fuck?
A hit of adrenaline surges in my veins as I slap the wall to flick the switch. A burst of light fills the room, clearly illuminating the naked woman sprawled on my king-sized bed like she’s posing for a pinup calendar. She’s got one arm crooked behind her head, dark hair cascading over her shoulder and fanned across my pillow. Tits and legs and the curve of an ass assault my vision before I force my gaze to her face. I recognize it instantly.
It’s the chick from the lobby.
“What the hell!” I growl. “How did you get in here?”
My midnight intruder is completely unbothered by the anger coloring my tone. “I have my ways,” she says coyly.
I can’t even believe this shit is happening right now.
I rub my suddenly pounding temples. “Okay. Look. I don’t know you, lady. Whatever you thought you were gonna get out of this, it ain’t happening. It’s time for you to go.”
Her lips curl into an exaggerated pout. “You can’t be serious,” she whines. “I’m your biggest fan. I just want to show you my appreciation.”
“I’ll pass, thanks.” I cross my arms. “You gonna leave on your own or do I need to call security?”
A smug glint flashes in her eyes. “I don’t think leaving your bed is an option, honey.”
To my sheer disbelief, she lifts her head slightly to show me the arm she’d been leaning against. Or rather, the wrist that’s handcuffed to the bedpost.